Who would you pick as a famous example for wasting his talent?

Question:

Who would you pick as a famous example for wasting his talent?

For educational purposes... Sportsmen, artists, entertainers - anyone.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Sportsmen.... Gaza Gascoigne and George Best. Maradon became a coke addict.

In politics: probably Michael Portillo, who is a talented figure, but lacks some kind of centre. I believe that Tony Benn is often cited, though quite why, is another matter. Likewise Denis Healey and Jonothan Aitken...whose fall from grace is like some sort of Greek Myth.

In painting: I think the worst wasted talent is de Chirico , whose post meaphysical period work is a disgrace.

In music...David Bowie...the decline in his work since the mid seventies is incredible. Likewise, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.

Alchohol seems to take quite a toll, as do the vagaries of fashion. As does suicide. So one might list all the famous suicides of rock:

Cobain, Hendrix, Curtis, Morisson, Joplin (?)

or literature...

Kafka...Rimbau...there are lots more but I can't remember them